Balls,Dolls and Beds

It's all here! It is finally all here!

Last week our things arrived and were unloaded by three good-humoured blokes. They worked hard and had unloaded the trucks within a couple hours; unpacking them was another story! So far we have the rooms completed, more or less, and the kitchen, the linens and most of the toys organized and put away. We still have several more boxes that require investigating but until we can figure out shelves and such, many items will remain as they are or piled in a corner. 

We have a small storage room attached on the backside of the house, that opens and closes with a key only. We have gone crazy with those adhesive hooks and put a couple shelves in there to create a fantastic toy room for the kids. Because I am the one with the key, they can only access it once it has been opened in the morning; then it also ensures that everything as been picked up and put away before we go in for the evening. It is proving to be a good system for every one, and it also helps remove places where creepy crawly's can find a place to hide and then be frightened if discovered accidentally whilst someone is turning over a truck or something.

The first week we were here I had to 'really encourage' a large hairy spider out of the yard with a stick. It wasn't frightened nor could be frightened by me what so ever. I had to keep pushing it in the direction that I wanted it to go; later I learned it was a trap-door spider. On our fridge we have a classification sheet depicting the dangerous spiders in real size, and categorizing them from highly dangerous to mildly dangerous. It has quick descriptions of where they like to live and what their bite is like. We have it at kids level and I remind them regularly to study and memorize these spiders. Also, my neighbour was so kind as to lend us a very large book containing pictures and vivid stories regarding Ausralia's most dangerous animals (Thanks Ross!) He did warn me it may cause me to loose some sleep at night. 

Here are a few questions for you;

1.How long can a snake still bite after he has been beheaded?  1 min.  1hr 1 day or 3 days?

2.What is a large group of Kangaroos called?

3.What is the leader of the group of Kangaroos called?

4.What is more dangerous, a wild dog or a dingo? 

5. What is a common find in a loo at the park? (it isn't a snake)

Anwsers:

1.It depends on whether or not the snake was cut above or below it's heart. If it was cut below the heart then the snake can continue living (and biting) for up to or around 36 hours. If it was severed above the heart, even directly behind the head, it can still bite and inject venom for up to an entire hour afterwards. (Yikes!)

2.A mob - that's comforting!

3. The old man... I always picture a grumpy man with a cane and a scowly face.. ready for a fight.

4. The dingo is clever and stealthy, but usually only attacks for food. The wild dog likes to be a menace and will attack just to inflict pain. Both animals have their issues, it is actually when they interbreed that you have a real problem because then you have the stealthiness of the dingo and the lack of fear and desire to mangle everything all in one. (Certainly hope we don't have these close to where we live.)

A tree frog we 'rescued' from a loo at a park by our house

5.Yes a large tree frog is a common find in the toilet at parks and outdoor facilities. We often find them in our back yard as well. That is one of the boys favourite thing right now. After supper they will head out with flashlights and try to collect as many as they can.

We're here... Part 2

A large salt water croc we saw on one of our Saturday adventures

The first few days here were tricky for us to try to get ourselves, and the kids, onto a new time schedule... 10 hours difference. It wasn't as difficult for the kids as it was for myself or Wade. There were many very early mornings, and early evenings for everyone.
Our days were not as we expected... they were quite cold! Yes I said COLD... not hot and all tropical, like I and my mother had been dreaming. Repeatedly my annoyed husband reminded me that this was their winter time, and so I had to take that into account... I did not and would not simply because Australia is suppose to be HOT... ALL the time! (isn't it?) Well, no my dear friends it is not. The mornings were so chilly that the first thing I did when I awoke was walk around to each heater and turn them on in each room, and when I say turn them on I mean on and up.(Each room has it's own air conditioner/heater.) Then around 10am I would turn them off again, making sure I turned the thermostat down so if Wade turned it on it wasn't crazy high set that would then make him crazy with annoyance that I was turning them up so high - he knows now so there is no sense in trying to hide this lil' tidbit of information. Later on, around bedtime, I would again turn on the heaters, especially in the bedrooms to prepare us for the night. I don't think Wade really gets it but at least he gets me enough to be sure to turn on the one in the main living room so I can get up to a warm living room and kitchen. Thanks Honey!
Anyway, I spent the first week going through a flood of emotions that included concern, annoyance, regret, sadness, apprehensiveness, frustration and an immediate sense of home sickness. I could go on for a very long time explaining why I think I felt all these negative feelings instead of the expected happiness, anticipation and sheer excitement from knowing that I was actually going to live out my life long dream of living in Australia but I am not. Just know that relocating yourself is difficult in most circumstances, and the emotional effects are always there but just may not seem as intense in some moves as in others; however, relocating an entire family is all that and more. Not only did I have my fears, apprehension and homesickness to work through I had my children's.... and the guilt that comes with trying to answer a 2 years teary plea to go back to his 'big house' doesn't get easier with time. ( wait a moment while I blot my tears) Anyway, over time those feelings have more or less settled now; and I suspect that the rest of us will settle even more once our belongings have arrived.
Our stuff... that is something else of annoyance, trying to find things to do when you have nothing to do anything with. This town is a very quiet, sleepy sort of town. There isn't a whole lot to do and really not a lot of places to go. That isn't to say that there aren't some fantastic parks, just that going to them for hours at a time day in and day out can become, well boring; especially since it seems we are the only people who use them. Those first few weeks that my mother was here, and we had no vehicle to use, we went for walks. Walks to this park, that park, the shops (grocery store), library, oh and the other park as well. Doing the same thing day after day became more of a nuisance than an adventure. We did, however, need to go to the shops just about every day because the fridges that were provided for us were just two little bar fridges. There were no other ones available and with a family this size, those small fridges just do not hold enough to hold the troops for more than 24 hours... if that. So as cumbersome as those walks were, they were indeed required if the bubs (babies) were to have enough milk to last them the night and the next morning.

So what helped or helps us make it through the long days of the long weeks you ask? SATURDAYS! Saturdays have become beach days. We pack up the van after breakfast then head off to Mackay (pronounced Mc- I) which is about 2 hours away. Mackay has several beaches that are easily accessible and beautiful. We usually arrive in Mackay around lunch so we eat at Hungry Jacks, ( just like Burger King but better food at a better price) then we are off to the beach for the afternoon. We always make a stop at the grocery store before heading home, as the prices in the city are always much cheaper than in our little town.

These Saturday trips all began after we took a Saturday to take my mom to a nice day out before she had to head back home to Canada. First we went through Rockhampton (about 3 hours away) to get to the outskirts where we visited Koorana Crocodile Farm (and restaurant).
Very cool stuff happening there. We will diffeniatly be returning during the hatching season to see the baby crocs and maybe even watch one hatch. I was able to buy a hollowed out croc egg for our school display.

You can check out the farm too if you want; check out this website http://www.koorana.com.au/ and you can get a glimpse of what we saw. Since the tour finished around lunch , we ate a small and pricey lunch there then headed off to the closest town with a beach - Emu park (actually is a town). This was the first beach we had been to since moving here so it was very exciting. We were not disappointed! The beach looked as though it belonged on a big postcard. The beach was surrounded with palm trees, sand with beautiful shells littered through out and the beautiful Coral Sea glittering in the sun. (sigh) I felt so peaceful looking out at my children running, screaming, down the beach toward the water and seeing the beauty around me. All I could think was "this is it... I could stay right here forever." It was a wonderful way to end my mothers visit. It took a lot to not just stand there balling like a baby that she was leaving in the next 24 or so hours and to not beg her to stay just a little longer - even though I did mention it was an option.

Grandma C reading a bedtime story in our new house

To be honest I wasn't convinced that having my mother stay for that long was going to be easy. We never did live together well so I expected that we would get on each others nerves easily. I thought the kids would play up more and we would be pitted against each other by them. I knew she would be helpful and I would enjoy the adult company but I certainly had my doubts. My mother was a wonderful help from the time we readied to board the first plane to the moment she had to walk out our new front door to head back to catch her first plane home. She was more than a help. She was an understanding soul who didn't judge my children, or me or my marriage. She witnessed so many emotions and so much... stuff but never once did she condemn, ridicule or insult any one for anything they said or did. In her short few weeks she lived with us, she taught me some valuable lessons about patience, gratitude and tolerance. I am so pleased that she was able to be here with us, with me. I would never want it any other way.
With that I will have to end because it is quarter after five and I need to get supper on the go. I will finish this up and try to get things up to current later on. Thanks for reading!

We have arrived! But just us, nothing else.

It sure has been a long while since I last posted on here, but in my defense we certainly have been preoccupied. I will give a quick recap of what has been happening for the last 4 or so weeks.
We drove off from our newly sold home in a tearful hurry on June 7th, and headed to our hotel in Calgary. We spent the night swimming and preparing for the next days round of flights.  The next morning we met with my Mom who would be traveling with us, and my sister Lacey along with my two nephews, Liam and baby Sam. We drove to the airport and had a nice brunch before our teary goodbyes at the gates. (Still brings tears to my eyes)

Looking out at all the big planes

Our first flight was the one that seemed to take the longest ( or so I thought at first) for several reasons, one of the main ones being that Zedikiah suddenly announced his fear of flying by asking questions (very loudly) about whether or not the plane could burst into flames when we were taking off; and if it was in fact flammable when I told him not to worry. Yes, a very long 3 or so hour flight that took us from Calgary to Dallas,TX and let me tell you... they really do do things big there! There was a set of escalators that were ginormous!!
Of course we had to take a ride on them... just because. We spent some time at the airport waiting for our next (delayed) flight. Our next flight took us on Qantas airlines for a 10 (or so) hr flight across the oceans to Brisbane, Australia. The flight was FANTASTIC!! The company flew us business class and it was an experience for sure. Each child has his or her own completely adjustable seat, their own television set and movie options. Wade and I were given a new set of pajamas provided by the airlines to get comfy in. All of us were given night packs to freshen up with and eye wear to help us sleep. The food and drinks (not those sort!) were very good and greatly enjoyed. Another great part was that they allowed my mother to move to the front with us to enjoy the last little bit of the flight in a little more comfort. After collecting our luaggage, except for the piece of  my moms luggage that had been lost by the airlines, and making our way through customs, we were picked up by a driver. Wade had secretly arranged a personal driver who we found holding up a sign with our last name on it... just like movie stars! We were driven to a nice hotel in downtown Brisbane.

We'd arrived in the morning so we spent the afternoon walking the chilly streets as we made our way to the lovely Botanical Gardens, where we saw some amazing birds such as lorokeets (super colourful little parrot-like birds), a huge variety of ibis birds and our first, up close look at a kookaburra. The plants were beautiful as well, I think that would go without saying though.. it is Australia!

Our First Kookaburra

The next morning flight provided me with my first experience with motion sickness. I spent the agonizingly long hour and a half, turbulent, flight huddled over one of those little white paper bags they have so handy for those who think they are going to spew. I did not, but near the end was wishing I would just to get it over with. This flight was also difficult because it was the first one that one of the littler ones, Maileigh, cried... wait, screamed for the first little while as she fought sleep; and terrified Zed because he was was certain that  the reason for us bouncing and shaking was because the plane was broken and wasn't going to make it. It is funny to think that the two shortest flights we had seemed to be the longest and most agonizing ones. Overall though our children did awesome, and we received many compliments from other passengers as well as the flight attendants regarding their behavior and manners. That is always a treat to hear.
After arriving in the small airport of Emerald, we ended up having to wait a short time for the car rental company to bring us a van large enough to seat seven people plus our luggage. They did and it was one borrowed from the mine... a diesel 12 passenger, stick shift beast - I thought it was awesome. Ahhhh, there was just so much room. Anyway, we loaded up the troops and set off for our new home in the little town of Middlemount another hour and a half away. We spent the time listening to audio stories on CD and watching the surprisingly familiar landscape pass by. It was a quiet trip with not much to see.
Once we arrived we went straight to our new house. Because I had seen the house in pictures I sort of knew what to expect. My first impressions were that even though it was small we had a decent sized kitchen and a great backyard. I was very glad to see that the carpets laid through out 95% of the house (including the dining room) are NOT white... what a relief. The company had provided us with a kitchen table, but no chairs, some kitchen ware, couches, a TV and some mattresses on the floor. As soon as the company heard we were with out pots and pans, chairs and actual beds they worked quickly to provide these items for us within the next few days. I will continue this recap at a later date as my responsibilities to the children are now required.... I will post again soon along with some photos if I can. (Note - I was able to come back & add some pics)

A pair of lorokeets  - one of Wades favourite birds here

How could we have ever known?

I began this blog as a way to communicate to our friends and family in the midst of expected stress and chaos that we knew would come once Wade left. We never knew it would be like this!

I miss him; so much it can be hard to breath but instead of telling him this I get angry with him. I thought this would be okay with me but it isn't. I can keep busy during the day but even then if I pause for a moment I am consumed with awful feelings of regret, jealousy and resentment.

I keep hearing, from complete strangers even, that we are "so lucky" but if they had to endure what I am enduring they would be singing a much different tune! I have daily stress of being a homeschooling mom, but on top of that I have the stress of my children's stress that is increasing daily along with their insecurities and reservations about this whole situation as well. Some of resorted to extreme routes to find.. I don't even know but it includes stealing... a lot! (This is new to my family.) They are lying, screaming, yelling, and angry a lot. Even the babies are constantly fighting... over ME. I close my eyes and ask God if this is how this is supposed to be?

I feel like I am burdening Wade with even more guilt every time I talk to him because there is always something wrong and he is so far away there is nothing he can do to help. We find some way to fight about something even when neither of us even wants to be fighting. This is all just so hard.

I desperately want our marriage to be strong, and for us to use this time to encourage our hearts to grow fonder... but at this point I wonder if we'll be able to even stand each other when he comes home in 2+ weeks. We can barely talk now....

Well, as for the details of us leaving... as it stands the movers come on the 7th of June to pack our air freight and we leave to Calgary that same afternoon. The first flight leaves early morning of June 8th. The flights and hotels are all booked.

His 'VISA' is in, the plane is fueled... say bye-bye to Daddy

About 3-4 weeks ago we received word that Wade's 457 Visa was approved; and so flights were booked, notices to work were given and taxes were filed.

Today, March 31, Wade packs up his bags, loads up his truck and heads to catch a plane that will take him to his next plane that will take him to his new country. It is a sort of gloomy day as we all prepare for him to leave. Wade worked hard to have the house in selling condition so all I have to do is sell it now... He has recorded story books for each of the children so he can read them bedtime stories and set up skype so we can have 'face to face' talks with him, but as Alex easily pointed out last night "It's not the same". We will miss him greatly.
(He hasn't left yet but I already miss him so much!)

Passports are in and so are the pictures of our new home

So some things are moving slow while there seems to not be enough time in the day to work on other things. As you can imagine there is a lot of little things that need to happen in order for progress can be made with the bigger things. I am sure using the word 'things' a lot; probably because that word can cover a plethora of... things.
Anyway, we need to sell the house; which means we need to prepare it for showing. That means there are a lot of little things, projects, that need to be accomplished before we can even list it. While trying to accomplish these projects there is still the daily things that need to be completed as well; such as the laundry, meals, errands, schooling and so forth. Never enough time, or energy, for Wade or myself. I am really hoping we can find it in us to complete these projects before he has to leave... which we still don't have a departure date because we are still waiting on his VISA to be processed.

Some good news is that we ALL have our passports and necessary legal documents ready to go. Our Australian health insurance is active; and so is my brain (and emotions) now that we have received pictures and a printed layout of our new home in Middlemount. It will certainly be an adjustment downsizing from our current home to the new one.

                                       (A Photo of our Soon to be New Home in Australia)
We have decided that it would be best to send our things as soon as possible so that there will be less waiting on our belongings once we have arrived. We have been given the estimated arrival of our sea-can to be any where from 6 to 12 weeks from the time it is loaded on the ship to the arrival at our home. That is a LONG time to be without. To try to make the transition easier we will 'camp' out here until June in hopes that our stuff will be there waiting or arrive very soon after we do. We have already had a moving survey completed over the phone (lazy company) by one company, and have a different one coming out on the 3rd of March to assess our belongings and give us a quote. In the meantime I am working like mad to get rid of the things we are taking with us... still have a lot to do!

Till the next something happens.....

It's really happening! Preparations have begun...

This is our first entry in our new blog. This blog will feature everything from preparing for our big move across countries to sharing our every day life as a homeschooling family; as well as my own, personal thoughts, feelings, struggles and triumphs of it all.

My husband Wade is a mechanical engineer who has landed a job that has begun an amazing adventure for our family. We are moving from southern Alberta, Canada to just 3 hours away from the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia.

We are leaving behind a wonderful family and some good friends, but know that this is a dream worth pursuing and a chance of a lifetime... so I/we are going to do our best to keep up with this blog to share our experience with our family, friends and anyone else interested in tagging along.